Tool for running on a drill string in a well bore

ABSTRACT

A tool for running on a drill string in a well bore carries inflatable packer means to close off the well bore adjacent the tool. The tool includes a body having a longitudinal bore therethrough with seating means and shock absorbing means for absorbing the shock of seating a bore close off means to close off the bore in the drill string. The tool body may include stabilizer means to aid in drilling straighter holes.

TOOL FOR RUNNING ON A DRILL STRING IN A WELL BORE In one form of theinvention the tool is in the drill string near the drilling bit forreceiving a sample collector which is inserted in the drill string atthe earths surface and dropped or pumped down the drill string to theseating means in the tool.

Pressure applied in the drill string at the earths surface causes theinflatable packer means to inflate and seal off the well bore and thesample collector to open to collect a sample from the well bore beneaththe inflated packer means. Thereafter as the pressure in the drillstring is reduced at the earths surface, the sample collector closes andthe inflated packer deflates. The tool includes valve means responsiveto the pressure differential between the drill string and the well boreabove the inflatable packer means to sequentially perform the abovesteps and cause deflation of the inflatable packer means undersubstantially all well conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The prior art that applicant is aware ofincludes in applicants opinion, some of the closest references appear tobe Hyde, U.S. Pat. No. 3,111,169; Cochrum et al., U.S. Pat. No.3,503,445; Warrington, U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,215; Hughes, U.S. Pat. No.2,862,562; Boynton, U.S. Pat. No. 2,301,190; Malone U.S. Pat. No.3,529,665; and Williams et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,338,369.

However, none of the prior art with which applicant is familiar providesa construction which functions in the same manner as applicants. By way.of example only, the prior art does not include valve means whichsequentially functions responsive to the pressure differential betweenthe drill string and the well bore above the inflatable packer means,and to cause deflation of the inflatable packer means undersubstantially all well bore conditions.

Various devices for closing off the well bore of a drill string and thewell bore surrounding the drill string while the drill string remainswithin the well bore have been provided, as have sample collectingarrangements for use in connection with such constructions. One problemattendant with such prior art devices is that their construction andfunction are such that it is difficult to selectively sequentiallycontrol the operation of the tool in a desired manner. Another objectionis that their construction and function is such that it is difficult toselectively and sequentially control the operation of the tool in adesired manner so as to assure a minimum amount of, if not complete,lack of contamination of the sample collected in the sample collector byfluids from other portions of the well bore or drill string other thanthat particular formation which is to be tested. Additionally, the priorart constructions do not employ a shock absorber for receiving a toolsuch as a sample tool, or other bore close off device such as a go devilin a manner to inhibit damage thereto, or to enable the tool to bepumped or dropped down the drill string into seated position.

Another problem encountered with such prior art devices is that there isno positive means to assure that the inflatable element carried by thetool in the drill string is deflated after the tool has been operatedwhile the drill string is in the well bore so that normal drillingoperations may be continued without possible damage to the inflatableelement carried on the rotating drill string.

Still another disadvantage with prior art devices with which applicantis familiar is that they are complicated and require a seeminglyexcessive number of moving parts and are somewhat difficult to serviceand maintain in uninterrupted use during normal drilling operations,while yet permitting a sample of a particular formation to be taken whendesired.

Other devices do not provide an arrangement for equalization of thepressure above and below the inflatable element with the interior of theinflatable element, while the inflatable element is being deflated.

None of the prior art devices with which applicant is familiar employ anarrangement wherein the operation of the device is effected by controlvalve means which is responsive to the pressure in the drill stringabove the bore close off tool, or sample collector, with reference tothe pressure in the well bore above the inflatable packer means.

Also excessive force must be employed with prior art devices to unseatthe sample tool.

Another disadvantage with prior art devices is tha since they arepositioned in the drill string near the drilling bit and are of asmaller diameter than the drill collars in the drill string, deviationof the well bore may result under some formation conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toprovide an I arrangement which may be utilized as a packoff tool forclosing off the well bore annulus and the drill string bore while thedrill string remains in the well bore with a minimum number of movingparts and performing such functions in a desired sequential manner.

Another'object of the present invention is to provide an arrangementwhich may be utilized as a packoff tool for closing off the well boreannulus and the drill string bore while the drill string remains in thewell bore with a minimum number of moving parts and performing suchfunctions in a desired sequential manner. A sample collecting chamberwith valve means to open and close the sample collecting chamber forcommunication with the well bore is adapted to be received in the.

tool for collecting a sample of fluid from. a desired formation afterthe well bore annulus and drill string have been closed off.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide anarrangement which may be utilized as a packoff tool for closing off thewell bore annulus and the drill string bore while the drill stringremains in the well bore with a minimum number of moving parts andperforming such functions in a desired sequential manner. A samplecollecting chamber with valve means to open and close the samplecollecting chamber for communication with the well bore is adapted to bereceived in the tool for collecting a sample of fluid from a desiredformation after the well bore annulus and drill string have been closedoff. A shock absorbing arrangement is arranged in the tool for receivingthe impact of seating the sample tool therein and a control valve isprovided in the tool to stepwise and sequentially operate the valve inthe sampler to aid in assuring that it opens and closes at the properintervals and thereby inhibit contamination of the sample collected inthe sample collection chamber by fluids from the well bore.

The tool includes fluidpassage means for equalizing the interior of theinflatable element with the bore as well as for equalizing well borepressure above and below the inflatable element during deflation of theinflatable element.

Fluid passage means are provided in the tool, so that as pressure in thedrill string is increased, communication from the well bore to theinflatable'element is closed off and then fluid is conducted from thedrill string to the inflatable element for inflation thereof.

Continued increase in drill string pressure manipulates the controlvalve means to open the sample collector valve to enable a fluid sampleto be collected in the sample collector.

After the sample collector has been retained open a desired timeinterval for collection of a sample from the formation sealed off by theinflatable element, the pressure in the drill string bore is reduced tomanipulate the control valve to close the sample collector valve.Continued reduction of drill string pressure manipulates the controlvalve to communicate the element with the well bore annulus fordeflation thereof as well as communieating the well bore above and belowthe inflatable element to aid in deflation of the inflatable elementafter the sample has been collected and closed off in the samplecollector. v

Reduction of drill string pressure is continued, and when such pressureexceeds well bore pressure above the inflated element by a predeterminedamount, the control valve causes the interior of the inflatable ele mentto communicate with the well bore to assure deflation of the inflatableelement.

Also, the arrangement which is associated with the control valve tocommunicate the interior of the inflated element with the well bore at apredetermined pressure differential between the drill string borepressure and the pressure in the well bore annulus is such that thecontrol valve will not initially move until such pressure differentialis overcome during the initial stages of operation of the tool.

The invention including the control valve means functions in response tothe pressure in the drill string above the sample collector, or boreclose off means, with reference to the pressure in the well bore abovethe inflatable packer means.

Also, the inflatable element includes an end arrangement and a manner ofsupporting the inflatable element on the body to assist in deflation ofthe element and to aid in retaining it in deflated position duringnormal drilling operations.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tool foruse with a drilling string in a well bore including a body forconnection in the drill string including stabilizer means on theexterior surface of the body and reinforced inflatable means carried bysaid body intermediate the ends of the stabilizer arrangement.

All of the foregoing is accomplished with a relatively simplearrangement which is constructed and arranged with a minimum number ofmoving parts to control the operation of the tool in a predetermined,selected and sequential stepwise manner.

Another object is to provide a tool which overcomes the disadvantages ofprior art devices as noted herein.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from aconsideration of the following descriptions and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation illustratingthe form of the present invention wherein it is employed in the drillstring with the body providing a stabilizer arrangement adjacent theinflatable element to assist in proper drilling operations in someformations encountered;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view diagrammatically illustrating theform of the invention shown in FIG. 1 and illustrates a body with areinforced element thereon, a seating sleeve means within the bore ofthe body including a shock absorbing means, a control valve, the fluidpassage means for communicating the well bore with the interior of theinflatable element and with the well bore thereabove and therebelow aswell as other fluid passage means in the tool;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrates a samplecollector seated within the seating sleeve means and with the seatingsleeve means moved for communicating drill string pressure to thecontrol valve for subsequent operation of the tool in a desired manner;

FIG. 3A is a partial sectional view illustrating the position of thecontrol valve after it has moved to close communication between the wellbore and inflatable element and open the drill string bore to theinflatable element while retaining communication above and below theinflatable element;

FIG. 38 illustrates the position of the control valve after it hasclosed off the equalizing passage between the well bore above and belowthe inflatable element and shows the position of the control valve forconducting pressure from the drill string bore through the tool toinflate the element;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the tool showing the elementinflated to close off the portion of the well bore therebelow from thatportion of the well bore thereabove and with the control valve moved tocommunicate pressure from the well bore to one end of the valve in thesample collector while permitting the drill string bore pressure to actupon the other end thereof to move the sample collector valve to openthe sample collector for receiving the sample of fluid from theformation sealed off by the inflatable element;

FIG. 4A is a partial sectional view showing the position of the controlvalve after the sample has been collected in the chamber for actuationof the sample valve to close the sample collector;

FIG. 48 illustrates the position of the control valve for reestablishingcommunication above and below the inflatable element in the well boreimmediately prior to closing off the drill string bore to the inflatableelement and opening the inflatable element through the tool and controlvalve to the well bore annulus for deflation thereof;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention will bedescribed in detail wherein a sample collector is dropped down the drillstring; however, in some instances it may be desirable to drop a devicefor seating and closing off the bore in the drill string to thereafterenable the present invention to operate as a safety tool and close thewell bore as well as the drill string bore.

Accordingly, the detail description of the present invention as employedin conjunction with a sample collector is merely for purposes ofillustration and is not intended as a limitation in the use of theinvention.

In FIG. 1, the invention is referred to generally by the numeral andincludes a body 11 which, if desired, may include a stabilizerconfiguration represented at 13 thereon with the reinforced inflatableelement referred to generally at 14 therebetween. A drill bit is shownat 15 as being connected in the drill string, and it can be appreciatedthat while the invention is shown as being connected immediately abovethe drill bit in the drill string and will be described in such relationin connection with the present embodiment, for practical purposes, thepresent invention may be employed in any position in the drill stringdesired. The stabilizer arrangement 13 on the body 11 aids in drilling astraighter hole through some types of formations that may beencountered. For example, the stabilizer arrangement may be anoncircular exterior surface on the body 11, such as in the form of asquare drill collar, or it may be a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced projections for engaging the well bore wall to aid in centeringand aligning the drill string immediately above the drill bit 15.

In FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that the body 11 is ofsuitable configuration and includes suitable means such as the threadslla and 11b for engaging in the drill string and with the drill bit atits lower end, respectively, if desired. A bore 16 extendslongitudinally of the body and is adapted to receive valve means shownas being in the form of sleeve means 17. The valve means includes asuitable seat arrangement 18 for receiving and seating a close off too]such as, by way of example only, a sample collector as illustrated inFIG. 3.

The sleeve valve means 17 extends longitudinally of the bore 16, suchbore having suitable shoulder means such as 16a for receiving andsupporting resilient means 19 therein which abuts adjacent one end asillustrated at 20 of the sleeve valve means 17 for supporting the sleevevalve means 17 in the position as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.It will be noted that suitable seal means 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 areprovided at spaced intervals between the body 11 and seating sleevemeans 17 to seal off therebetween and to assist in controllingcommunication of various passages in the tool as will be described. Theconstruction and arrangement of the valve means 17 enables it to retainthe position illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings during normaldrilling operations. Similarly, it will be noted that the reinforcedinflatable packer means 14 is secured at its upper end 14a to the body11 and is provided with means represented generally at 26 at its lowerend 14b to enable the lower end of the element 14 to move longitudinallyrelative to body 11 while inhibiting relative rotation therebetween.

The means 26 includes a key 27 carried by the body 11 fitting within thespline 28 formed in the lower end 1411 of the resilient element 14. Thisaccomodates relative longitudinal movement of the lower end of annularhead 14 of the inflatable element during inflation and deflation thereofwhile preventing relative rotation between the body 11 and inflatableelement 14 while drill pipe is rotating during drilling operations. Toaid in retaining the inflatable element in a noninflated position duringnormal drilling operations and to assist deflation of the inflatableelement when the internal pressure is released, the lower end 14b ofsuch member includes spring means 29 which abuts one end of the key 27and the shoulder 14c formed on the lowermost end of the lower end 14bwhich tends to extend or retain the element 14 in deflated position andtends to return it to such deflated position upon deflation as will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter.

The sleeve valve means 17 includes a shock absorbing means referred togenerally at 30 which may by of any suitable form and is illustrated asincluding a plurality of annular elastomer members 31 separated byrelatively nondeformable annular members 32, only one of which isillustrated. Such members are provided in the annular recess 11c formedin the body 11 and communicating with bore 16. The upper annular flangedend 17a of the valve means 17 extends into recess 11c as shown. Suchshock absorbing means 30 will absorb the shock of a close off tool or asample collector, both of which function to close off thedrill stringbore seating on the seat 18 while still accommodating longitudinalmovement of the valave means 17.

Control valve means referred to generally at 35 are carried by the body11 for controlling communication between various passageways in the body11, and the tool components carried thereby as will be described ingreater detail hereinafter.

Resilient means 36 are arranged in the body so as to tend to urge thecontrol valve 35 to the position as illustrated in FIG. 2 of thedrawings. In such position, the control valve 35 establishescommunication between the well bore annulus and the interior 14d of theinflatable element 14 as well as establishing communication above andbelow the inflatable element 14 through the equalizing passage means 37extending longitudinally of the body 11 and communicating at one end 39with the annular chamber 38 in the body in which the control valve means35 and the resilient means 24 are carried and at its other end 40 itcommunicates through the ports 27 with the well bore (not shown) beneathelement 14 when the control valve means 35 is in the position shown inFIG. 2.

The annular chamber 38 communicates with the well bore through the ports41 and 42, such communication being selectively controlled by thecontrol valve means as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The annular chamber 38 includes an annular groove the drawings by theseals 21, 22, 23, and 24, respectively.

It will be noted that the control valve means 35 includes the spaced,annular and longitudinally extending recesses 49 and 50 formed on theinner periphery thereof. Spaced seal means 51 and 52 are arrangedadjacent one end of the control valve 35 adjacent but spaced from theuppermost end of the annular recess 50 and spaced seal means 53 and 54are provided on the annular shoulder 55 formed in the annular valvemeans 35 between the annular recesses 49 and 50. The lower end of thecontrol valve means 35 carries suitable seal means 56 as shown.

When the seating sleeve means 17 is in the position illustrated in FIG.2 of the drawings, the port means 42 in body 11 communicates at itsinner end with the annular groove 57 formed on the outer surface of theseating sleeve means 17. Such annular groove 57 extends beyond annularseal 22 positioned between the seating sleeve means 17 and the body 11and communicates with the annular groove 58 formed in the body means 11.On the right-hand side of FIG. 2, it can be seen that the annular groove58 communicates with passage means schematically represented at 59which, when the control valve 35 is positioned as shown, communicateswith the annular recess 50 therein so as to conduct well fluid throughthe port or passage means 42, the annular groove 57, throughcommunicating annular groove 58, and thence through the passage means 59to the annular recess 50. It can be appreciated that at the same timefluid from the well bore is conducted through port 41 and into theannular chamber 38 and through the annular groove 43 around seal means56 into annular recess 49. This communicates the well bore when thecontrol valve 35 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 through annulargroove 44 with passage means 60 to the interior 14d of the resilientmeans 14. With the control valve means 35 positioned as shown in FIG. 2,the annular chamber 38 also conducts such well fluid through the passage36 to establish communication and equalization above and below theinflatable element 14 in the well bore through the port 27 and port 41.

When the tool is in the foregoing position, normal drilling operationsmay be continued, and since pressure in the well bore is equalizedinternally and externally of the inflatable element 14 and thereaboveand therebelow, there is substantially no tendency for the inflatableelement 14 to inflate, which might destroy or otherwise damage it duringrotation of the drill string.

In FIG. 3, suitable means for closing off communication in thelongitudinal bore 16 is shown as being in the form of a sample collector61. The sample collector 61 includes a sample collecting chamber 61'therein which is normally closed off by the valve means representedgenerally at 62 carried in the chamber 62a of the sampler. Such valvemeans 62 is provided with a spring 63 for urging the valve towardsclosed position to close off communication of the passage means 64 and65 in the sample collector to thereby inhibit entry of fluids into thechamber 61, until desired.

It will be noted that the body of the sampler 61 is provided with anannular shoulder 66' for engaging and seating on the shoulder 18 of theseating sleeve valve means 17, and when this occurs, the resilient means19 depresses. Also, the upper annular flanged end 17a of the seatingsleeve means 17 moves downwardly upon impact of the shoulders 66 and 18and engages the shock absorbing means 30 which absorbs the shock of themovement of the seating sleeve means and seating of the closure toolwhen the closure tool such as the sample collector 61 seats therein.

If the weight of the sample collector does not compress the spring 19 tomove the seating sleeve means down to the position shown in FIG. 3,then, when the pressure within the drill string represented at 8 isincreased slightly, the sleeve 17 will move down whereupon communicationbetween the well bore and annular recess 50 in control valve 35 throughport or passage means 42 is closed off. Also, the passage 47 in seatingsleeve 17 aligns with annular groove 58 in body 11 which communicatesdrill string bore pressure around collector 61 through passage means 59to annular recess 50 internally of control valve means 35, asillustrated in FIG. 3.

Drill string bore pressure is at such time also conducted through thepassage means 66 and 67 formed in the sample collector to act on eachend of the valve means 62.

Passage means 67 is communicated with drill string bore pressure bymeans of passage 48 in seating sleeve 17, which has been shifteddownwardly from its position shown in FIG. 2, and passage means 68 whichcommunicates at one end with annular recess 50 in control valve 35 andwith passage 48 at its other end as shown in FIG. 3.

Seal means 69 and 70 on sample collector 61 seal off between samplecollector 61 and seating sleeve means 17 to prevent communication of thedrill string bore above the sample 61 and therebelow. The seal means 69and 70 also span passage means 67 to seal it off for propercommunication between recess 50, passage means 68, and passage means 48when the samper is in the position shown in FIG. 3. v

It will be noted that the valve means 62 is provided with suitable seals71 and 72 adjacent its ends for preventing pressure from the drillstring bore on each end of the valve 62 entering chamber 62a. Since thelower end of the valve 62 is provided with the spring means 63, thevalve means 62 will retain the position shown in FIG. 3 of the drawingssince the fluid pressure from the drill string bore acting on each endof the valve 62 is balanced, and the spring means 63 thus urges thevalve to closed position for preventing communication between thepassage means 64 and 65 as previously noted.

With the sampler 61 seated as shown in FIG. 3, the port or passage means41 communicates well bore fluid to annular chamber 38 and thence aroundseal means 56 on the lower end of the control valve through recess 49 invalve means 35, into annular groove 44, and then passage means 60 tocommunicate with the interior 14d of inflatable means 14. Also, theannular chamber communicates the well bore fluid through passage means37 so as to maintain equalization of well bore pressure both above andbelow the inflatable element as well as interiorly thereof. At thistime, it is to be noted that the port or passage means 42 in the body 11communicat ing with the well bore annulus is shut off by the seal means21, 22, and 23.

Thus, well bore pressure above the inflatable element acts on one sideof the control valve 38 and drill string pressure acts on the other orinside of the control valve. Thus, the control valve 38 is responsive tothe pressure in the drill string above the bore close off means withreference to the pressure in the well bore above the inflatable packer14.

Since the drill string bore pressure is not communicated interiorly ofthe control valve 35 and since the cross-sectional area of the controlvalve across seal means 53 and 54 is larger than the cross-sectionalarea through the control valve seal means 51 and 52, the control valvemeans 35 will be responsive to the drill string bore pressurecommunicated to recess 50 and upon incremental increases of the drillstring bore pressure in a predetermined manner the tool may be operatedin a sequential, stepwise manner as desired and as will be describedhereinafter.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 3A for the next position of controlvalve means 35. It should be noted at the outset that the resilientmeans 36 is shown as having been compressed slightly as control valvemeans 35 moves from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shownin FIG. 3A. However, before any movement of control valve means 35 maybe accomplished, sufficient drill string bore pressure must be suppliedto the recess 50 of the control valve means 35 to overcome the force inresilient means 36. The resilient means 36 may exert any amount offorce, and by way of example only, it has been found that when theresilient means 36 exerts a force of approximately 400 pounds per squareinch in equivalent hydraulic pressure, a suitable differential betweenthe drill string bore pressure and well bore pressure above the inflatedpacker means 14 is established to accomplish desired results, as will benoted hereinafter.

In FIG. 3A, a predetermined amount of pressure from the drill stringbore is applied through port means 47, passage means 59, and to recess50 to act on seal means 53 at the lower end of annular recess 50 to movethe control valve 35 longitudinally a predetermined distance withinannular chamber 38 as illustrated. In this position, fluid from the wellbore may flow through port or passage means 41 into the annular chamber38 and around the seal 56 in the lower end of the control valve 35 toannular groove 43 so that (by referring to FIG. 3), communication ismaintained with the end 39 of the passage means 37 for equalizingpressure in the well bore above and below the inflatable means 14.However, seal means 54 on control valve 35 are shown as sealinglyengaged with the annular surface 38 of chamber 38, thus closing offcommunication between chamber 38 and passage 60. This closes off theinterior 14d of inflatable member 14 referred to in FIG. 3 to the wellbore and opens recess 50 to passage 60 through annular groove 44 so thatthe packer means 14 may be inflated to seal against the well bore wall.

The next sequence is illustrated in FIG. 3B and shows the control valve35 as having moved longitudinally an additional predetermined amount inresponse to an incremental increase in pressure in the drill string bore16 which is communicated to the recess 50 of the control valve means 35,as previously described. It will be noted that the annular seal means 56on control valve means 35 is sealingly engaged with the annular surface38 immediately below annular groove 43 formed in such annular surface38', thus closing off communication to the groove 43 and thereby closingthe equalizing passage 37 which communicates the well bore above andbelow the inflatable element as described with regard to FIGS. 1, 3, and3A.

when the control valve 35 is in the position of FIGS. 3A as well as 38,fluid pressure from the drill string bore 16 is conducted to theinterior 14d (FIG. 3) of the inflatable element 14 to effect inflationthereof. Particularly with respect to the position of the control valve35 shown in FIG. 3B, such pressure is maintained until the inflatablemeans 14 is inflated and seated in contact with the well bore wall asillustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

As previously described with regard to FIG. 3, as long as annular recessis in communication with passage means 68 in body 11, drill string borepressure is maintained on the lower end of valve 62 through passagemeans 68, 48, and 67, and is also maintained on the upper end thereofthrough passage means 66 and the closing force exerted on the valve 62is spring 63 acting on the bottom of such valve as diagrammaticallyillustrated in the drawings. However, as can be seen by referring toFIG. 3, when the control valve 35 continues to move downwardly withinannular chamber 38 in response to sequential, incremental pressureincreases in a predetermined amount within the drill string bore, theseal ring 52 passes over the passage 68 in body 11 and closes offcommunication between the drill string bore and such passage as well asthe lower end of the valve 62. Thereafter, continued movement of thecontrol valve downwardly within chamber 38 moves seal 51 across theopening of passage means 68 in body 11 so as to communicate chamber 38therewith and with passage 48 and 67. Chamber 38 is in communicationwith the well bore by means of port or passage 41 at all times, and thuswhen seal 51 moves downwardly beneath the opening of passage 68 in body11, well bore pressure above packer means 14 is communicated to thelower end of the valve 62. Since the pressure within the drill stringbore is greater than the pressure within the well bore above packermeans 14, the pressure acting through passage 66 of sampler 61 on theupper end of the valve means 62 will thereupon move valve means 62downwardly to the position as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

When this occurs, passage means 64 and 65 within the sample collector 61are communicated by reason of the reduced stem portion on valve 62between seals 71 and 76, which reduced stem portion 75 spans the ends ofthe passages 64 and 65 between the seals 71 and 76 as shown in FIG.4.When this occurs, the sample collecting chamber 61 is opened tocommunication through passage 65 and ports 65a in sample collector 61with the longitudinal bore 16 beneath inflated element 14 and throughdrill bit 15 to collect a sample of the formation sealed off below theinflated element 14.

It can be appreciated that the sequential operation of the sample valvemeans 62 in response to the sequential movement of the control valvemeans 35 insures that the sample valve means 62 will not open forcommunication of sample collection chamber 61' with the formation belowpacker means 14 until the inflated means 14 has seated against the wellbore wall. This aids in eliminating contamination of the fluidscollected from the desired formation below the inflated element 14 byother fluids in the well bore thereabove or by fluids in the drillstring bore above the sample collector 61.

The sample collector 61 also includes the pressure recorder 80 thereinfor recording the pressure of the formation.

The sample collection chamber 61' may be maintained in open position apredetermined interval, say, for example, 20 minutes, and thereafter thecontrol valve 35 may be sequentially moved by incrementally dropping thepressure in the drill string bore to enable the resilient means 36 andwell bore pressure above packer means 14 to act against the controlvalve 35 as illustrated in FIG. 4A of the drawings and move it to itsfirst return position.

Seal means 51 first passes across the end of passage means 68 in body 11and closes off communication with passage means 67 in sampler 61 and thelower end of the valve means 62 against which the spring 63 acts.Thereafter, seal means 52 passes across the opening of passage means 68in body 1 1. so as to communicate annular recess 50 with passage means68. Since annular recess 50 contains fluid pressure from the drillstring bore conducted from above the sampler 61, the drill string boreis at such time again communicated to the lower end of valve 62 throughpassage means 68, 48, and 67, thereby equalizing the fluid pressureacting on each end of the valve means and then spring 63 functions tomove the valve 62 to closed position as shown and described with regardto FIG. 3 of the drawings.

It will be noted by referring to FIG. 4A that when the control valve isin this position, the equalizing passage 37 is still closed off sinceseal means 56 is still below annular groove 43 formed on the surface 38of the chamber 38.

However, when control valve means 35 has moved into the positionillustrated in FIG. 4B, the seal means 56 is not engaged with surface38, but is over the annular groove means 43 for communicating the end 39of the equalizing passage 37 with fluid in the chamber 38 for equalizingpressure in the well bore above and below the element 14 as it deflates.

In some instances, the column of drilling fluid in the well bore annulussurrounding the drill string may become gassed or aerated while aformation is being tested. In such event, it is possible that eventhough the pressure on the drill string fluid column is zero at theearths surface, the static head in the drill string causes a greaterpressure in the drill string adjacent the sample collector than thepressure in the well bore annulus fluid column above the inflatedelement. Heretofore, it would have been difficult, if not almostimpossible to deflate the inflated element under such circumstances;however, the present invention overcomes this problem and enables theinflated element to deflate under substantially any well condition.

More particularly, the present invention is constructed so that thecontrol valve 35 is moved to a position so that the pressure in the wellbore annulus above and below the inflated element equalizes even thoughthe pressure in the drill string is in excess of the well bore annuluspressure above the inflated element. The spring 36 forces the controlvalve 35 to a position to accomplish the foregoing after a test has beencompleted and while the drill string pressure is being reduced, butwhile the drill string pressure is still in excess of the well boreannulus pressure. The pressure differential at which this occurs willdepend upon the force in spring 36. By way of example only a spring 36which will function to move the control valve 35 when the drill stringpressure exceeds the well bore annulus pressure above the inflatedelement by approximately 400 psi has been found quite satisfactory toforce the control valve for equalizing the pressure in the well boreabove and below the element. I

A shear safety valve 85 is arranged in body 11 and communicates withpassage 60. Should some malfunction occur, the pressure in the drillstring can be increased above the pressure at which valve is set to openso that the shear means retaining valve 85 closed will shear and permitit to open.

This communicates the interior 14d of element 14 with the well bore andenables it to deflate.

The sampler 61 of the present invention may be provided with suitablemeans such as a fishing neck 82 so that a suitable tool, well known inthe art, may be lowered into the drill string and engaged therewith forremoving the sampler 61.

The.sampler-.6l may be lowered on a wireline'or if desired by reason ofthe shock absorbing arrangement 30, it may be dropped or pumped down thedrill string to seat in the seating sleeve.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the control valvefunctions in response to increasing pressure in the drill string abovethe bore close off means with reference to the pressure in the well boreabove the inflatable packer means 14 to first inflate the packer means14, then upon further pressure increase, the control valve opens valve62 so that chamber 61 is open to the well bore below inflated element 14for receiving a sample.

Then when the pressure in the drill string above the bore close offmeans is decreased with reference to the pressure in the well bore abovethe inflatable packer means 14, the valve 62 in sample collector 61 isclosed and then upon further decrease in drill string pressure withreference to the pressure in the well bore above the inflatable packermeans 14, the inflatable packer is deflated and pressure in the wellbore above and below the packer means 14 is equalized with that in thepacker means 14.

A check valve is provided in equalizing passage 37 to enable pressure inthe well bore beneath packer means 14 to bleed off, if necessary, aspacker means 14 is inflated.

In FIG. 5, the position of resilient means 36 and con trol valve means35 is reversed from that shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. Such rearrangementnecessitates a rearrangement of the passage means 59, 60, 68, and 37, asschematically illustrated in FIG. 5. The other components of theinvention are similar to that previously described with regard to FIGS.1 through 4, and the same reference numbers are applied to FIG. 5 asused in FIGS. 1 through 4.

The function and operation of the form of the invention illustrated inFIG. 5 is similar to that described with regard to FIGS. 1 through 4.

In FIG. 6, the control valve is shown as being of a different form fromthat in FIGS. 1 through 4,and it will be noted that the control valve 35is positioned in a valve pocket 38 in the body 11. Again, the passagemeans 37 as well as the passage means 68 and 48 are rearranged so as tofunction with the form of the control valve 38 shown in FIG. 6 in amanner similar to that as previously described with regard to thecontrol valve 38 shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. In FIG. 6, the same numbersare applied to the component parts which correspond to those previouslydescribed with regard to FIGS. 1 through 4.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention areillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size,shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well bore to seal offthe well bore adjacent the tool, the subcombination including:

a. a body for connection in the drill string, said body having alongitudinal bore therethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal off the well bore;

c. bore close off means movable through the drill string for seating insaid body; and

(I. control valve means carried on said body and having means responsiveto well bore pressure and pressure in the drill string whereby saidcontrol valve is movable in one direction in response to increasingpressure differential between the drill string above said bore close offmeans when seated and the well bore above said packer means tocommunicate said packer means with the drill string for inflation ofsaid packer means and movable in the opposite direction in response todecreasing pressure differential between the drill string above saidbore close off means when seated and the well bore above said inflatedpacker means to communicate said packer means with the well bore fordeflation thereof.

2. The invention of claim 1 including means associated with said controlvalve means to communicate said inflated packer means with the well borewhen the pressure in the drill string bore exceeds the pressure in thewell bore above said packer means by a predetermined amount.

3. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well bore to seal offthe well bore adjacent the tool, the subcombination including:

a. a body for connection in the drill string, said body having alongitudinal bore therethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal off the well bore;

c. bore close off means movable through the drill string for seating insaid body;

d. control valve means responsive to the pressure in the drill stringabove said seated bore close off means with reference to the pressure inthe well bore above said inflatable packer for inflation and deflationof said inflatable packer; and

e. valve means in said body normally closing off communication betweenthe body bore and said control valve means.

4. The invention of claim 1 including valve means in said body normallyclosing off communication between the body bore and said control valvemeans.

5. The invention of claim 4 including seat means on said valve means insaid body for receiving and seating said bore close off means, and therebeing passage means in said body for communicating the body bore withsaid control valve means after said bore close off means is seated onsaid valve means.

6. The invention of claim 4 including means associated with said controlvalve to communicate said inflatable packer means with the well bore fordeflation thereof when the pressure in the drill string above saidseated bore close off tool exceeds the pressure in the well bore abovesaid inflatable packer means by a predetermined amount.

7. The invention of claim 3 including shear valve means in said bodywhich will release the inflating pressure from said inflatable packermeans when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined amount.

8. In a tool for running a drill string in a well bore for receiving andseating a sample collector in the drill string to collect a sample fromthe well bore, the subcombination including:

a. a body for connection in the drill string, said body having alongitudinal bore therethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal off the well bore;

c. means in said body for seating the sample collector to close off thebody bore;

d. valve means carried by the sample collector to open and close thesample collector to the well bore below said packer means;

e. control valve means carried by said body for directing fluid afterthe sample collector is seated to first inflate said packer means andthen open said valve means in the sample collector to collect a samplefrom the well bore and then close said valve means to retain thecollected sample in the sample collector; and

f. means normally closing off communication between the body bore andsaid control valve means until the sample collector is seated in saidbody.

9. The invention of claim 8 including spring means engaging one end ofand normally urging said valve means in the sample collector towardsclosed position.

10. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well bore for receivingand seating a sample collector in the drill string, the subcombinationincluding:

a. a body for connection in the drill string, said body having alongitudinal bore therethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal off the well bore;

c. means in said body for seating the sample collector to close off thebody bore;

d. valve means carried by the sample collector to open and close thesample collector to the well bore below said packer means; and

. control valve means carried on said body and having means responsiveto well bore pressure and pressure in the drill string whereby saidcontrol valve is responsive upon increasing the pressure in the drillstring above the seated sample collector with reference to the pressurein the well bore above said inflatable packer means to first inflatesaid packer means and seal off the well bore and responsive upon furtherincreasing the pressure in the drill string above the seated samplecollector with reference to the pressure in the well bore above saidinflated packer means to actuate said valve means carried by the samplecollector to open the sample collector to the well bore below saidinflated packer means, and said control valve being responsive upondecreasing the pressure in the drill string above the seated samplecollector with reference to the pressure in the well bore above saidinflated packer means to first close said valve means in the samplecollector and then upon further decrease in the pressure in thedrillstring above the seated sample collector with reference to the drillpressure in the well bore above said inflated packer means to deflatesaid inflated packer means.

11. The invention of claim 10 including means associated with saidcontrol valve to communicate said inflatable packer means with the wellbore for deflation thereof when the pressure in the drill string abovesaid seated bore close off tool exceeds the pressure in the well boreabove said inflatable packer means by a predetermined amount.

12. The invention of claim 10 including shear valve means in said bodywhich will release the inflating pressure from said inflatable packermeans when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined amount.

13. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well bore for receivingand seating a sample collector in the drill string to collect a samplefrom the well bore, the subcombination including:

a. a body for connection in the drill string, said body having alongitudinal bore therethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal off the well bore;

c. means in said body for seating the sample collector to close off thebody bore; and

d. control valve means carried on said body and having means responsiveto well bore pressure and pressure in the drill string whereby saidcontrol valve is responsive upon increasing the pressure in the drillstring above the seated sample collector with reference to the pressurein the well bore above said inflatable packer means to first inflatesaid packer means and seal off the well bore and responsive upon furtherincreasing the pressure in the drill string above the seated samplecollector with reference to the pressure in the well bore above saidinflated packer means to open the sample collector to the well borebelow said inflated packers means and said control valve beingresponsive upon decreasing the pressure in the drill string above theseated sample collector with reference to the pressure in the well boreabove said inflated packer means to first close the sample collector andthen upon further decrease in the pressure in the drill string above theseated sample collector with reference to the pressure in the well boreabove said inflated packer means to equalize the pressure in the wellbore above and below said packer means with the pressure in said packermeans and deflate said packer means.

14. The invention of claim 13 including means associated with saidcontrol valve to communicate said inflatable packer means with the wellbore for deflation thereof when the pressure in the drill string abovesaid seated bore close off tool exceeds the pressure in the well boreabove said inflatable packer means by a predetermined amount.

15. The invention of claim 13 including shear valve means in said bodywhich will release the inflating pressure from said inflatable packermeans when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined amount.

16. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well bore for receivingand seating a sample collector in the drill string to collect a samplefrom the well bore, the subcombination including:

a. a body for connection in the drill string, said body having alongitudinal bore therethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal off the well bore;

c. valve means in said body for seating the sample collector to closeoff the body bore;

LII

d. valve means carried by the sample collector to open and close thesample collector to the well bore below said packer means;

e. control valve means carried by said body for opening and closing saidvalve means in the sample collector; and

f. means normally closing off communication between the body bore andsaid control valve means until the sample collector is seated in saidbody valve means.

17. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well bore for receivingand seating a sample collector in the drill string to collect a samplefrom the well bore, the subcombination including:

a. a body for connection in the drill string, said body having alongitudinal bore therethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable 'packer means carried by said body forinflation to seal off the well bore;

c. valve means in said body for seating the sample collector to closeoff the body bore;

(1. valve means carried by the sample collector to open and close thesample collector to the well bore below said packer means;

e. control valve means carried by said body;

f. means normally closing off communication between the body bore andsaid control valve means until the sample collector isseated in saidbody valve means; and

g. said control valve means responsive upon increasing the pressure inthe drill string above the seated sample collector with reference to thepressure in the well bore above said inflatable packer means to firstinflate said packer means and seal off the well bore and responsive uponfurther increasing the pressure in the drill string above the seatedsample collector with reference to the pressure in the well bore abovesaid inflated packer means to actuate said valve means carried by thesample collector to open the sample collector to the well bore belowsaid inflated packer means, and said control valve being responsive upondecreasing the pressure in the drill string above the seated samplecollector with reference to the pressure in the well bore above saidinflated packer means to first close said valve means in the samplecollector and then upon further decrease in the pressure in the drillstring to deflate said inflated packer means.

18. The invention of claim 17 including shock absorbing means supportingsaid valve means in said body for absorbing shock of seating the samplecollector.

19. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well bore for receivingand seating a sample collector in the drill string to collect a samplefrom the well bore, the subcombination including;

a. a body for connection in the drill string, said body having alongitudinal bore therethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal .off the well bore;'

c. said body having passage means for communicating with the well boreabove and below said packer means;

d. means in said body for seating the sample collector to close off thebody bore; and

e. control valve means carried on said body and having means responsiveto well bore pressure and pressure in the drill string whereby saidcontrol valve is responsive upon increasing the pressure in the drillstring above the seated sample collector with reference to the pressurein the well bore above said inflatable packer means to first inflatesaid packer means and seal off the well bore and responsive upon furtherincreasing the pressure in the drill string above the seated samplecollector with reference to the pressure in the well bore above saidinflated packer means to open the sample collector to the well borebelow said inflated packer means and said control valve being responsiveupon decreasing the pressure in the drill string above the seated samplecollector with reference to the pressure in the well bore above saidinflated packer means to first close the sample collector and then uponfurther decrease in the pressure in the drill string above the seatedsample collector with reference to the pressure in the well bore abovesaid inflated packer means to communicate fluid above and below saidpacker means through said body passage means and to communicate saidpacker means with the well bore for deflation thereof.

20. The invention of claim 19 including check valve means in said bodypassage means to equalize the pressure in the well bore above and belowsaid packer means during inflation thereof.

21. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well bore for receivingand seating a sample collector in the drill string to collect a samplefrom the well bore, the subcombination including:

a. a body for connection in the drill string, said body having alongitudinal bore therethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal off the well bore;

0. sample collector seating valve means in the bore of said body;

d. control valve means movably mounted in said body; and

e. there being passage means in said body for equalizing the pressureinternally of said packer means with the pressure in the well bore aboveand below said packer means to aid in maintaining said packer meansdeflated during drilling operations.

22. The invention of claim 21 including means normally closing offcommunication between the body bore and said control valve means, andthere being passage means in said seating valve means and said body forcommunicating the body bore with said control valve means after thesample collector is seated on said seating valve means. g

23. The invention of claim 22 including valve means in the samplecollector for opening the sample collector to the well bore below saidpacker means and for closing the sample collector, there beingcooperating passage means in said body, seating valve means, and controlvalve means for conducting fluid pressure from the drill string to firstinflate said packer means and seal off the well bore while communicatingdrill string pressure to said valve means in the sample collector to acton both ends thereof to aid in maintaining it closed, said control valvemeans upon further increasing the drill string fluid pressure inrelation to the fluid pressure in the well bore above said inflatedpacker means moving to communicate one end of said valve means in thesample collector to the well bore while communicating drill stringpressure against the other end to act on said valve means in the samplecollector to open the sample collector to the well bore below saidinflated packer.

24. The invention of claim 23 including spring means normally urgingsaid valve means in the sample collector toward closed position andspring means urging said control valve means against the fluid pressurein the drill string whereby decreasing the pressure in the drill stringin relation to the fluid pressure in the well bore above said inflatedpacker means enables said control valve to move and communicate drillstring pressure to act on both ends of said valve means in the samplecollector and said valve means in. the sample collector is closed bysaid spring means acting thereon.

25. The invention of claim 24 wherein further decreasing the fluidpressure in the drill string in relation to the pressure in the wellbore above said inflated packer means communicates passage means in saidbody and said inflated packer with the well bore for deflation thereof.

26. In a sample collector for use with a well bore tubular stringwherein the tubular string has a seating valve means for receiving thesample collector, control valve means for controlling opening andclosing of the sample collector, and passage means in the tubularstring, seating valve means and control valve means for conductingpressure in the tubular string and well bore for actuating the controlvalve means, the invention comprising:

a. a sampler body having a sample collecting chamber therein;

b. said sampler body having passage means therein for communicating thesample collecting chamber to collect a sample in the well bore;

c. sampler valve means in said sampler body for controllingcommunication of the passage means to the sample collecting chamber; and

d. said sampler body having additional passage means for communicatingpressure from the tubular string to each side of said sampler valvemeans when the control valve in the tubular string is in one position toretain said sampler valve means closed and for communicating one side ofsaid sampler valve to the well bore and the other side to the pressurein the tubular string when the control valve is in another position tothereby open the passage means to the sample collecting chamber forcollecting a well bore sample.

27. The invention of claim 26 including spring means normally urgingsaid sampler valve means to closed position when both sides of saidsampler valve are exposed to tubular string pressure, but movable foropening said sampler valve means when one side of said sampler valve iscommunicated to the well bore while the other side is communicated topressure in the tubular string.

28. In an apparatus for obtaining fluid samples from a well boreformation penetrated during the drilling of an oil or gas well or thelike with out removing the drill string comprising:

a. a body for connection in the drill string having a longitudinal boretherethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal off the well bore;

c. a sample collector having a sample collecting chamber therein;

d. seating valve means movably mounted in the body bore for receivingand seating the sample collector;

e. control valve means movably mounted in said body for controllingopening and closing of the sample collecting chamber and for controllinginflation and deflation of the inflatable element; and

f. passage means in said body, seating valve means and control valvemeans for conducting pressure in the drill string and well bore to saidcontrol valve for actuation thereof to selectively open and close thesample collecting chamber and to selectively inflate and deflate saidpacker means.

29. In an apparatus for obtaining fluid samples from a well boreformation penetrated during the drilling of an oil or gas well or thelike without removing the drill string comprising:

a. a body for connection in the drill string having a longitudinal boretherethrough;

b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflationto seal off the well bore;

c. a sample collector having a sample collecting chamber therein withpassage means for communicating with the well bore below said packermeans;

(1. seating valve means movably mounted in the body bore for receivingand seating the sample collector;

e. said sample collector being removably inserted in said body andseating valve means and having seal means cooperable with said seatingvalve means whereby pressure may be built up in the drill stringthereabove;

f. valve means movably mounted in said sample collector for opening andclosing the collecting chamber passage means to thereby controlcommunication between the sample collecting chamber and well bore;

g. control valve means movably mounted in said body for controllingopening and closing of the collecting chamber passage means and forcontrolling inflation and deflation of the inflatable element;

h. said body, seating valve means, and control valve means havingpassage means for conducting pressure in the drill string and well boreto said control valve for actuation thereof to selectively open andclose the collecting chamber passage means and to selectively inflateand deflate said packer means;

i. said sample collector having passage means for communicating drillstring pressure to both sides of said valve means when said samplecollector is seated in said seating valve means to aid in retaining saidvalve means closed when said control valve means is positioned tocommunicate drill string pressure to inflate said packer means and sealoff the well bore, and thereafter the passage means on one side of saidvalve means being communicated with the well bore when said controlvalve means is moved to another position upon increasing the drillstring pressure while the passage means on the other side of said valvemeans is communicated to drill string pressure whereupon said valvemeans opens to communicate the sample collecting chamber and the wellbore below said inflated packer means for collecting a sample in thesample collecting chamber.

30. The invention of claim 29 including seal means between said seatingvalve means and said body to close the passage means between said bodyand said control valve means during drilling of the well.

31. The invention of claim 29 including spring means normally urgingsaid valve means in said sample collector toward closed position andspring means urging said control valve means against the fluid pressurein the drill string whereby decreasing the pressure in the drill stringenables said control valve means to move and communicate drill stringpressure to act on both ends of said valve means in said samplecollector while said packer means remains inflated so that said valvemeans in said sample collector closes the collecting chamber passagemeans before deflation of said packer means.

32. The invention of claim 31 including passage means in said body whichupon further decreasing the fluid pressure in the well bore communicatessaid inflated packer means with the well bore above and below saidpacker means for deflation thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFECE CERTIFICATE OF CQRREQTEQN Patent No. 3 022Dated November 1 7 Inventor(s) George E Conover It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 6 line l5,' "by' should be -be- Col 6, line' 27, alave" sho ulde be-valve- Col. 7, line 34, "passage 36" should be passage 37-- Col. 9,line 64,; '-When" should not be capitalized -when- Col. 14, line 66,cancel -drill Signed and sealed this 11th day of March 1975 (SEAL)Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officerand Trademarks

1. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well bore to seal offthe well bore adjacent the tool, the subcombination including: a. a bodyfor connection in the drill string, said body having a longitudinal boretherethrough; b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said bodyfor inflation to seal off the well bore; c. bore close off means movablethrough the drill string for seating in said body; and d. control valvemeans carried on said body and having means responsive to well borepressure and pressure in the drill string whereby said control valve ismovable in one direction in response to increasing pressure differentialbetween the drill string above said bore close off means when seated andthe well bore above said packer means to communicate said packer meanswith the drill string for inflation of said packer means and movable inthe opposite direction in response to decreasing pressure differentialbetween the drill string above said bore close off means when seated andthe well bore above said inflated packer means to communicate saidpacker means with the well bore for deflation thereof.
 2. The inventionof claim 1 including means associated with said control valve means tocommunicate said inflated packer means with the well bore when thepressure in the drill string bore exceeds the pressure in the well boreabove said packer means by a predetermined amount.
 3. In a tool forrunning on a drill string in a well bore to seal off the well boreadjacent the tool, the subcombination including: a. a body forconnection in the drill string, said body having a longitudinal boretherethrough; b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said bodyfor inflation to seal off the well bore; c. bore close off means movablethrough the drill string for seating in said body; d. control valvemeans responsive to the pressure in the drill string above said seatedbore close off means with reference to the pressure in the well boreabove said inflataBle packer for inflation and deflation of saidinflatable packer; and e. valve means in said body normally closing offcommunication between the body bore and said control valve means.
 4. Theinvention of claim 1 including valve means in said body normally closingoff communication between the body bore and said control valve means. 5.The invention of claim 4 including seat means on said valve means insaid body for receiving and seating said bore close off means, and therebeing passage means in said body for communicating the body bore withsaid control valve means after said bore close off means is seated onsaid valve means.
 6. The invention of claim 4 including means associatedwith said control valve to communicate said inflatable packer means withthe well bore for deflation thereof when the pressure in the drillstring above said seated bore close off tool exceeds the pressure in thewell bore above said inflatable packer means by a predetermined amount.7. The invention of claim 3 including shear valve means in said bodywhich will release the inflating pressure from said inflatable packermeans when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined amount.
 8. In atool for running a drill string in a well bore for receiving and seatinga sample collector in the drill string to collect a sample from the wellbore, the subcombination including: a. a body for connection in thedrill string, said body having a longitudinal bore therethrough; b.reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflation toseal off the well bore; c. means in said body for seating the samplecollector to close off the body bore; d. valve means carried by thesample collector to open and close the sample collector to the well borebelow said packer means; e. control valve means carried by said body fordirecting fluid after the sample collector is seated to first inflatesaid packer means and then open said valve means in the sample collectorto collect a sample from the well bore and then close said valve meansto retain the collected sample in the sample collector; and f. meansnormally closing off communication between the body bore and saidcontrol valve means until the sample collector is seated in said body.9. The invention of claim 8 including spring means engaging one end ofand normally urging said valve means in the sample collector towardsclosed position.
 10. In a tool for running on a drill string in a wellbore for receiving and seating a sample collector in the drill string,the subcombination including: a. a body for connection in the drillstring, said body having a longitudinal bore therethrough; b. reinforcedinflatable packer means carried by said body for inflation to seal offthe well bore; c. means in said body for seating the sample collector toclose off the body bore; d. valve means carried by the sample collectorto open and close the sample collector to the well bore below saidpacker means; and e. control valve means carried on said body and havingmeans responsive to well bore pressure and pressure in the drill stringwhereby said control valve is responsive upon increasing the pressure inthe drill string above the seated sample collector with reference to thepressure in the well bore above said inflatable packer means to firstinflate said packer means and seal off the well bore and responsive uponfurther increasing the pressure in the drill string above the seatedsample collector with reference to the pressure in the well bore abovesaid inflated packer means to actuate said valve means carried by thesample collector to open the sample collector to the well bore belowsaid inflated packer means, and said control valve being responsive upondecreasing the pressure in the drill string above the seated samplecollector with reference to the pressure in the well bore above saidinflated packer means to first close said valve means in the samplecollector and then upon Further decrease in the pressure in the drillstring above the seated sample collector with reference to the drillpressure in the well bore above said inflated packer means to deflatesaid inflated packer means.
 11. The invention of claim 10 includingmeans associated with said control valve to communicate said inflatablepacker means with the well bore for deflation thereof when the pressurein the drill string above said seated bore close off tool exceeds thepressure in the well bore above said inflatable packer means by apredetermined amount.
 12. The invention of claim 10 including shearvalve means in said body which will release the inflating pressure fromsaid inflatable packer means when the pressure therein exceeds apredetermined amount.
 13. In a tool for running on a drill string in awell bore for receiving and seating a sample collector in the drillstring to collect a sample from the well bore, the subcombinationincluding: a. a body for connection in the drill string, said bodyhaving a longitudinal bore therethrough; b. reinforced inflatable packermeans carried by said body for inflation to seal off the well bore; c.means in said body for seating the sample collector to close off thebody bore; and d. control valve means carried on said body and havingmeans responsive to well bore pressure and pressure in the drill stringwhereby said control valve is responsive upon increasing the pressure inthe drill string above the seated sample collector with reference to thepressure in the well bore above said inflatable packer means to firstinflate said packer means and seal off the well bore and responsive uponfurther increasing the pressure in the drill string above the seatedsample collector with reference to the pressure in the well bore abovesaid inflated packer means to open the sample collector to the well borebelow said inflated packers means and said control valve beingresponsive upon decreasing the pressure in the drill string above theseated sample collector with reference to the pressure in the well boreabove said inflated packer means to first close the sample collector andthen upon further decrease in the pressure in the drill string above theseated sample collector with reference to the pressure in the well boreabove said inflated packer means to equalize the pressure in the wellbore above and below said packer means with the pressure in said packermeans and deflate said packer means.
 14. The invention of claim 13including means associated with said control valve to communicate saidinflatable packer means with the well bore for deflation thereof whenthe pressure in the drill string above said seated bore close off toolexceeds the pressure in the well bore above said inflatable packer meansby a predetermined amount.
 15. The invention of claim 13 including shearvalve means in said body which will release the inflating pressure fromsaid inflatable packer means when the pressure therein exceeds apredetermined amount.
 16. In a tool for running on a drill string in awell bore for receiving and seating a sample collector in the drillstring to collect a sample from the well bore, the subcombinationincluding: a. a body for connection in the drill string, said bodyhaving a longitudinal bore therethrough; b. reinforced inflatable packermeans carried by said body for inflation to seal off the well bore; c.valve means in said body for seating the sample collector to close offthe body bore; d. valve means carried by the sample collector to openand close the sample collector to the well bore below said packer means;e. control valve means carried by said body for opening and closing saidvalve means in the sample collector; and f. means normally closing offcommunication between the body bore and said control valve means untilthe sample collector is seated in said body valve means.
 17. In a toolfor running on a drill string in a well bore for receiving anD seating asample collector in the drill string to collect a sample from the wellbore, the subcombination including: a. a body for connection in thedrill string, said body having a longitudinal bore therethrough; b.reinforced inflatable packer means carried by said body for inflation toseal off the well bore; c. valve means in said body for seating thesample collector to close off the body bore; d. valve means carried bythe sample collector to open and close the sample collector to the wellbore below said packer means; e. control valve means carried by saidbody; f. means normally closing off communication between the body boreand said control valve means until the sample collector is seated insaid body valve means; and g. said control valve means responsive uponincreasing the pressure in the drill string above the seated samplecollector with reference to the pressure in the well bore above saidinflatable packer means to first inflate said packer means and seal offthe well bore and responsive upon further increasing the pressure in thedrill string above the seated sample collector with reference to thepressure in the well bore above said inflated packer means to actuatesaid valve means carried by the sample collector to open the samplecollector to the well bore below said inflated packer means, and saidcontrol valve being responsive upon decreasing the pressure in the drillstring above the seated sample collector with reference to the pressurein the well bore above said inflated packer means to first close saidvalve means in the sample collector and then upon further decrease inthe pressure in the drill string to deflate said inflated packer means.18. The invention of claim 17 including shock absorbing means supportingsaid valve means in said body for absorbing shock of seating the samplecollector.
 19. In a tool for running on a drill string in a well borefor receiving and seating a sample collector in the drill string tocollect a sample from the well bore, the subcombination including; a. abody for connection in the drill string, said body having a longitudinalbore therethrough; b. reinforced inflatable packer means carried by saidbody for inflation to seal off the well bore; c. said body havingpassage means for communicating with the well bore above and below saidpacker means; d. means in said body for seating the sample collector toclose off the body bore; and e. control valve means carried on said bodyand having means responsive to well bore pressure and pressure in thedrill string whereby said control valve is responsive upon increasingthe pressure in the drill string above the seated sample collector withreference to the pressure in the well bore above said inflatable packermeans to first inflate said packer means and seal off the well bore andresponsive upon further increasing the pressure in the drill stringabove the seated sample collector with reference to the pressure in thewell bore above said inflated packer means to open the sample collectorto the well bore below said inflated packer means and said control valvebeing responsive upon decreasing the pressure in the drill string abovethe seated sample collector with reference to the pressure in the wellbore above said inflated packer means to first close the samplecollector and then upon further decrease in the pressure in the drillstring above the seated sample collector with reference to the pressurein the well bore above said inflated packer means to communicate fluidabove and below said packer means through said body passage means and tocommunicate said packer means with the well bore for deflation thereof.20. The invention of claim 19 including check valve means in said bodypassage means to equalize the pressure in the well bore above and belowsaid packer means during inflation thereof.
 21. In a tool for running ona drill string in a well bore for receiving and seating a samplecollector in the drill string to collect a sample from the well bore,the subcombination including: a. a body for connection in the drillstring, said body having a longitudinal bore therethrough; b. reinforcedinflatable packer means carried by said body for inflation to seal offthe well bore; c. sample collector seating valve means in the bore ofsaid body; d. control valve means movably mounted in said body; and e.there being passage means in said body for equalizing the pressureinternally of said packer means with the pressure in the well bore aboveand below said packer means to aid in maintaining said packer meansdeflated during drilling operations.
 22. The invention of claim 21including means normally closing off communication between the body boreand said control valve means, and there being passage means in saidseating valve means and said body for communicating the body bore withsaid control valve means after the sample collector is seated on saidseating valve means.
 23. The invention of claim 22 including valve meansin the sample collector for opening the sample collector to the wellbore below said packer means and for closing the sample collector, therebeing cooperating passage means in said body, seating valve means, andcontrol valve means for conducting fluid pressure from the drill stringto first inflate said packer means and seal off the well bore whilecommunicating drill string pressure to said valve means in the samplecollector to act on both ends thereof to aid in maintaining it closed,said control valve means upon further increasing the drill string fluidpressure in relation to the fluid pressure in the well bore above saidinflated packer means moving to communicate one end of said valve meansin the sample collector to the well bore while communicating drillstring pressure against the other end to act on said valve means in thesample collector to open the sample collector to the well bore belowsaid inflated packer.
 24. The invention of claim 23 including springmeans normally urging said valve means in the sample collector towardclosed position and spring means urging said control valve means againstthe fluid pressure in the drill string whereby decreasing the pressurein the drill string in relation to the fluid pressure in the well boreabove said inflated packer means enables said control valve to move andcommunicate drill string pressure to act on both ends of said valvemeans in the sample collector and said valve means in the samplecollector is closed by said spring means acting thereon.
 25. Theinvention of claim 24 wherein further decreasing the fluid pressure inthe drill string in relation to the pressure in the well bore above saidinflated packer means communicates passage means in said body and saidinflated packer with the well bore for deflation thereof.
 26. In asample collector for use with a well bore tubular string wherein thetubular string has a seating valve means for receiving the samplecollector, control valve means for controlling opening and closing ofthe sample collector, and passage means in the tubular string, seatingvalve means and control valve means for conducting pressure in thetubular string and well bore for actuating the control valve means, theinvention comprising: a. a sampler body having a sample collectingchamber therein; b. said sampler body having passage means therein forcommunicating the sample collecting chamber to collect a sample in thewell bore; c. sampler valve means in said sampler body for controllingcommunication of the passage means to the sample collecting chamber; andd. said sampler body having additional passage means for communicatingpressure from the tubular string to each side of said sampler valvemeans when the control valve in the tubular string is in one position toretain said sampler valve means closed and for communicating one side ofsaid sampler valve to the well bore and the other side to tHe pressurein the tubular string when the control valve is in another position tothereby open the passage means to the sample collecting chamber forcollecting a well bore sample.
 27. The invention of claim 26 includingspring means normally urging said sampler valve means to closed positionwhen both sides of said sampler valve are exposed to tubular stringpressure, but movable for opening said sampler valve means when one sideof said sampler valve is communicated to the well bore while the otherside is communicated to pressure in the tubular string.
 28. In anapparatus for obtaining fluid samples from a well bore formationpenetrated during the drilling of an oil or gas well or the like without removing the drill string comprising: a. a body for connection inthe drill string having a longitudinal bore therethrough; b. reinforcedinflatable packer means carried by said body for inflation to seal offthe well bore; c. a sample collector having a sample collecting chambertherein; d. seating valve means movably mounted in the body bore forreceiving and seating the sample collector; e. control valve meansmovably mounted in said body for controlling opening and closing of thesample collecting chamber and for controlling inflation and deflation ofthe inflatable element; and f. passage means in said body, seating valvemeans and control valve means for conducting pressure in the drillstring and well bore to said control valve for actuation thereof toselectively open and close the sample collecting chamber and toselectively inflate and deflate said packer means.
 29. In an apparatusfor obtaining fluid samples from a well bore formation penetrated duringthe drilling of an oil or gas well or the like without removing thedrill string comprising: a. a body for connection in the drill stringhaving a longitudinal bore therethrough; b. reinforced inflatable packermeans carried by said body for inflation to seal off the well bore; c. asample collector having a sample collecting chamber therein with passagemeans for communicating with the well bore below said packer means; d.seating valve means movably mounted in the body bore for receiving andseating the sample collector; e. said sample collector being removablyinserted in said body and seating valve means and having seal meanscooperable with said seating valve means whereby pressure may be builtup in the drill string thereabove; f. valve means movably mounted insaid sample collector for opening and closing the collecting chamberpassage means to thereby control communication between the samplecollecting chamber and well bore; g. control valve means movably mountedin said body for controlling opening and closing of the collectingchamber passage means and for controlling inflation and deflation of theinflatable element; h. said body, seating valve means, and control valvemeans having passage means for conducting pressure in the drill stringand well bore to said control valve for actuation thereof to selectivelyopen and close the collecting chamber passage means and to selectivelyinflate and deflate said packer means; i. said sample collector havingpassage means for communicating drill string pressure to both sides ofsaid valve means when said sample collector is seated in said seatingvalve means to aid in retaining said valve means closed when saidcontrol valve means is positioned to communicate drill string pressureto inflate said packer means and seal off the well bore, and thereafterthe passage means on one side of said valve means being communicatedwith the well bore when said control valve means is moved to anotherposition upon increasing the drill string pressure while the passagemeans on the other side of said valve means is communicated to drillstring pressure whereupon said valve means opens to communicate thesample collecting chamber and the well bore below said inflated packermeans for collecting a saMple in the sample collecting chamber.
 30. Theinvention of claim 29 including seal means between said seating valvemeans and said body to close the passage means between said body andsaid control valve means during drilling of the well.
 31. The inventionof claim 29 including spring means normally urging said valve means insaid sample collector toward closed position and spring means urgingsaid control valve means against the fluid pressure in the drill stringwhereby decreasing the pressure in the drill string enables said controlvalve means to move and communicate drill string pressure to act on bothends of said valve means in said sample collector while said packermeans remains inflated so that said valve means in said sample collectorcloses the collecting chamber passage means before deflation of saidpacker means.
 32. The invention of claim 31 including passage means insaid body which upon further decreasing the fluid pressure in the wellbore communicates said inflated packer means with the well bore aboveand below said packer means for deflation thereof.